I went to get a tire plugged today and asked for a test on my battery while I was there. It was going bad so went by LameMart since the battery was from there. They tested and agreed to replace under warranty. I check there little book and noticed that the battery that they installed 20 mo. ago was for a 4 banger. Rated at 525CCa and it was now well below 400. They gave me the right battery upgraded and fresh 3yr full warranty for $10. The truck needs min. 575. Now I have 700CCA. The truck starts and runs much better. I think the load under hard acceleration was taxing the weak battery or something because I can feel the difference. With all of the electronics on board the battery really becomes an important link. Pay attention to what people do to your vehicles. It only takes one inexperienced employee to ruin your day, right? Serves me right for leaving it up to the wife to take care of the truck and being lazy. Also thanx for advice from members on MAF sensor cleaning. Did that Sat. and it smoothed things out a bit.

This is precisely why I try to do everything I can to my own vehicle. Good news on the replacement.

Sorry to get off topic, appropriate story. I pumped gas when I was in high school. A lady stopped stating she had just got an oil change at the local Monroe and her car had been not running well and smoking (and believe me it was.) Popped the hood, there was no oil filter.

This is precisely why I try to do everything I can to my own vehicle. Good news on the replacement.

Sorry to get off topic, appropriate story. I pumped gas when I was in high school. A lady stopped stating she had just got an oil change at the local Monroe and her car had been not running well and smoking (and believe me it was.) Popped the hood, there was no oil filter.

yeah it's sad, but i don't trust any service shops either. one of the few times i had my old '94 in a shop, it took me a few days to realize they left the engine splash guard off. fortunately they were apologetic about it when i returned for it. i have to think the average person would have never caught it

sorta back on topic, i am due to replace my battery anytime now. it's a 5 year old factory battery. there isn't any problem with going overboard with a larger battery than i really need is there? it won't overtax the alternator or anything?

As long as you can fit it in the battery tray. Of course you don't want to add weight that you don't need. If I was not doing warranty I would have went with an Optima. Over $100 but they do have a great reputation. I think they are quite a bit lighter also.

there isn't any problem with going overboard with a larger battery than i really need is there? it won't overtax the alternator or anything?

nope, as long as the CCA is higher or equal to your requirements. we just recently replaced my dad's battery (94 pathfinder) and i was amazed to see that everywhere we went to, the recommended battery was smaller than what was on my dads truck. i guess sometime ago my dad went to get a new battery and that's what they gave them. maybe they ran out of my dads size or something. my dad doesnt even remember. anyway, everyone i talked to told me there is no harm in getting a bigger battery as long as the terminals and CCA are good then you are good. but they all implied that a bigger battery is heavier and might not be worth its weight in the long run....

sorta back on topic, i am due to replace my battery anytime now. it's a 5 year old factory battery. there isn't any problem with going overboard with a larger battery than i really need is there? it won't overtax the alternator or anything?

Naw, won't hurt it. I got a 600 something CCA Duralast Gold on my truck and no problems at all. Noticed no starting improvements between the stock 425 to the new one.

Guys Optima batteries are not all that great. The walrmat and costco batteries are better. I only say this because consumer reports told me so. You pay extra for the optima because of how over advertised they are.

shakedownstreet- If I were you I would go get a new battery right away. My 03 factory battery up and died this year. Without warning too. Lucky I was at a local service center getting a front end alignment. It would have sucked if I was out and about.

The funny part of going to a larger / better battery is that I don't get so much diesel sound early in the cold morning. I still get clatter but it doesn't seem to go on forever. Odd!